History

Over the past 15 years, Open Doors Organization has proven itself to be the little non-profit that could, making a significant impact within the transportation and hospitality industries, not just in the US but worldwide. Within two years of its founding, ODO published the first-ever nationwide market study of adult travelers with disabilities, using Harris Interactive to conduct surveys in 2002 and 2005. This groundbreaking research brought ODO to national attention as major publications such as the New York Times, Chicago Tribune, Los Angeles Times and the New York Times announced the startling finding that American travelers with disabilities spend $13.6 billion annually on travel. By 2015 that figure had jumped to $17.3 billion.

ODO market research focused not just on the trips being made and money being spent, but also how much potential is as yet unrealized due to the barriers still remaining in transportation and hospitality. As the new authority on the disability travel market, Open Doors Organization partnered with the Travel Industry Association of America (TIA) and the National Restaurant Association. It also began to provide marketing assistance, qualitative research and customer service training to numerous corporations including restaurant and hotel chains and major air carriers.

As you will see from the numerous and varied projects and achievements described elsewhere in this website, Open Doors Organization has continued to expand its partnerships and clientele, always with an eye to improving the quality of life for people with disabilities. ODO is always ready for a new challenge, whether it’s creating a series of award-winning Easy Access Guides, shooting a customer training video for Norwegian Cruise Line or conducting training for 8,000 Amtrak employees in 17 cities nationwide.